How are your 2014 travel plans shaping up? If you’re agonising over a city break or a ski trip, but despair of your dwindling annual leave allowance, why not enjoy the best of both worlds on an action-packed mini break to Andalucía. Basking in the glow of the Sierra Nevada mountains, Granada offers a high-altitude city break where you can feast on tapas, tour the Alhambra and speed down a black run all in the space of a 48 hours.
Perched above the high-rise hotels of the Costa Del Sol, arriving in Granada feels a bit like being whisked off to Narnia. Secret gardens, elegant fountains and polished plazas are dwarfed by the dazzling molars of the Sierra Nevada. Teeming with tapas bars, there’s ample opportunity to sample the region’s famous Jamon Iberico or if you’re feeling brave, the omelette Sacromonte, a heady mix of breaded brains and testicles – guaranteed to fend off the chilly mountain air. if you fancy a racier restaurant scene, head to the Camino Del Sacromento, where the ruffles fly as the region’s famed flamenco action gets under way.
The tang of charcoal and tinkle of mint tea glasses welcomes you to Albaicin, the Moorish quarter where you”ll find winding streets teeming with tea houses and shops stacked with North African rugs, lanterns and intricate wooden furniture. While there, head to San Nicolas Square for stunning views onto the Alhambra, best witnessed at sunset when the heavens transform the fortress from burnished gold to dusky pink.
Described by Moorish poets as a pearl set in emeralds, the mystical Alhambra is the lasting legacy of nearly eight centuries of Arab rule in Spain. The eye-aching intricacy of each hand-carved Islamic inscription whispers a depth of devotion impossible to fathom, while the sense of peace experienced in the Court of Lions lingers with you long after the visit. Visiting out of season and opting for the first or last visit is highly recommended as is booking a guided tour to make the most of your limited time.
When you are ready for the thrills and spills of the slopes, a sixty minute bus ride will take you to the resort of Pradollano for a bargain 9 euro return fare. Home to the FIS Downhill World Cup, there are thirty-nine runs in a range of red, green, blue and black categories to choose from. Ski equipment is available to hire on the day and lift passes range from 36 Euros in low season to 44 Euros in high season.
With a top elevation of 3300 metres, the resort offers jaw-dropping views across the Med to the distant coastline of North Africa. Once off the piste, a bevy of pounding nightclubs, glitzy cocktail bars and traditional Spanish pubs completes the apres-ski scene with a convenient range of hostels and hotels to stagger back to for an impromptu overnight stay.
With so much to pack in to a long weekend in Granada, you’ll return feeling like you’ve been away for weeks in the space of only a few short days – the ideal solution when your leave allowance is disappearing faster than snow off a crevasse.
Can you recommend any other destinations where you can ski and enjoy a city break during the same holiday? I’d love to hear your thoughts.